ELECTRICITY
» Switch it off. When leaving the room, switch off lights,
fans, air-conditioners, televisions, computers and other
appliances. Pull out the plug as well.
» Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)
instead of incandescent bulbs. Install dimmers, timers
and sensors. They save energy too.
AIR-CON
» Do not place lamps, television sets or other heat-emitting
appliances near the aircon thermostat. The latter senses
room temperature to regulate the unit’s operations,
making it work harder than it needs to.
» Don’t overcool air-conditioned rooms. Set the temperature
at between 24 and 25 deg C, and shut doors and windows.
FRIDGE
» Cool hot food before putting it in the fridge so it does
not have to work harder to maintain the temperature.
Avoid overcrowding -- too many items obstruct air circulation
and reduce cooling capabilities. And don’t place the fridge
near the oven.
» Decide what you want. Then open the refrigerator.
That way, it doesn’t stay open for too long and waste energy.
WHAT YOU THROW
» Learn to compost. Even if you live in an apartment,
food waste can be used as compost in a personal or
community garden.
TRAVEL GREEN
Offset carbon emission. Sign a Friends of World Heritage
"I am a responsible traveller" pledge or apply to buy
carbon emission offset credits.
HOTEL STAYS
» Don’t change your sheets everyday. If a hotel offers it,
take up the option of not having towels and sheets changed
every day. If not, let housekeeping know that it is your
preference. It saves on energy, water, soap and other resources.
» Take your own soap and shampoo on vacation. Those little
bottles of shampoo and soap in hotels create unnecessary waste,
since the open -- and often unfinished ones -- end up in the bin.
If you use them, finish them.
» Switch appliances off. If your hotel does not have a system
where electricity is cut off when you remove your key card,
manually turn off things like the air-conditioner, TV and lights.
SHOPPING
» Bring your own bag. When shopping during your vacation,
take a tote or backpack. Do this at home too. Avoid plastic bags.
» Don’t buy endangered species products. Boycott tortoise shell,
ivory, animal skins or feathers. Don’t buy star fish or
turtle-shell related souvenirs or any creature that may have
been put to death for the sake of a gift shop sale.
More often than not, these animals may have been killed
specifically for tourist trade.
GET AWAY WITHOUT GOING AWAY
